ISSN 2827-7406

E-News
VOLUME 3, NO. 02
March 2024

E.O.E Pereira Mawatha, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

www.jrdc.lk, Tel/Fax: +94 81 2 05 8116; E-mail: chinasrilankargp17@gmail.com

Inside

2 Research in Progress
₋ JRDC-UoP Research Grants Scheme- 2024
₋ Research Publications
Education and Training

0
₋ Staff Motivation Program
₋ Student Internships and Training Evaluation
₋ Laboratory Introductory Sessions for University Students
Knowledge Management
₋ CAS Team Annual Conference 2023: Unveiling Water Technology Innovations and
Strengthening International Collaboration

2
₋ University of Peradeniya Visited to JRDC
Networking
₋ Ceremony of the Bestowal of the Letters of Appointment to the Newly Appointed Staff
₋ Strengthen the Collaboration between CEA and JRDC
₋ A Collaborative Visit of CAS Delegates to Sri Lanka

4
₋ Strengthen the Future Collaborations
₋ Progress on the University of Peradeniya - JRDC Research Committee Meeting
₋ Participation of JRDC in “Jathika Mehewara” programme
JRDC offers
₋ The Lowest Testing Rates at the JRDC
₋ Other Offers
 VOLUME
VOLUME 13
NO.02
NO. 1
March
Jan 2024
2022

Research in Progress
• JRDC-UoP Research Grants Scheme- 2024
The JRDC-UoP Research Committee [China-Sri Lanka Joint Research and Demonstration Centre for
Water Technology (JRDC)- University of Peradeniya (UoP) Research Committee] has initiated a small-
scale Research Grants programme in 2024. This initiative aims to provide opportunities for the
University of Peradeniya academic staff to get involved with the research activities at JRDC. In 2024,
three to four Research Grants will be awarded (more details).

• Chemo Preventive Potential Of Oils Extracted from Seeds of Three Annona

Species
Attanayake, P., Rupasinghe, D., Gamage, A., Madhujith, T., and Merah, O. (2024). Chemo Preventive
Potential of Oils Extracted from Seeds of Three Annona Species. Seeds. 3, 105–123. (more details).

• Antioxidant Activity Of Essential Oils Extracted From Apiaceae Family Plants

Jayakodi, Y., Thiviya, P., Gamage, A., Evon, P., Madhujith, T., and Merah, O. (2024). Antioxidant Activity
of Essential Oils Extracted from Apiaceae Family Plants. Agrochemicals, 3, 57–69 (more details).

• Persistence and Potential Risks of Tetracyclines and Their Transformation

Products in Two Typical Different Animal Manure Composting Treatments
Wu, D., Daia, S., Fenga, H., Karunaratne, S.H.P.P., Yang, M., and Yu, Z. (2024). Persistence and potential
risks of tetracyclines and their transformation products in two typical different animal manure
composting treatments. Environmental Pollution, 341 (more details)

• Enhanced Pretreatment of Natural Rubber Industrial Wastewater using

Magnetic Seed Coagulation with Ca(OH)2
Wimalaweera, T.I.P., Jinadasa, K.B.S.N., Weragoda, S.K., Ritigala, T., Weerasooriya, R., Wang, Y.,
Zhong, H., and Wei, Y. (2024). Enhanced Pretreatment of Natural Rubber Industrial Wastewater
using Magnetic Seed Coagulation with Ca(OH)2, Water, 16.

JRDC for Inspiration Page

Page15
 VOLUME
VOLUME 13
NO.02
NO. 1
March
Jan 2024
2022

Research and
Education in Progress
Training
• Staff Motivation Program
The first seminar under the staff motivational seminar series titled “Harmony at Work: Balancing Joy
and Productivity” was held on February 20, 2024, at the JRDC premises. The medical officer
(Psychiatry) Dr. Methsiri Herath conducted the programme.

• Student Internships and Training Evaluation

The JRDC has provided immense opportunities for undergraduate students from different Universities
to train on high-tech instruments and modern laboratory facilities under the supervision of highly
trained technical staff members. At the end of the training period, the JRDC has an evaluation process
for trainees and the training awarding letters are issued by the JRDC based on their performance at
the evaluation. On February 12, 2024, currently engaged trainees at the JRDC presented their training
progress.

JRDC for Inspiration Page

Page25
 VOLUME
VOLUME 13
NO.02
NO. 1
March
Jan 2024
2022

Education and Training

• Laboratory Introductory Sessions for University Students
The JRDC provides diverse opportunities for
students from the University of Peradeniya to train
on high-tech instruments and modern laboratory
facilities available at the JRDC under the supervision
of a highly trained technical staff. Awareness
training programs were conducted for final year
undergraduate students of the “Industrial Pollution
Control” course of the Faculty of Engineering, the
University of Peradeniya on the 03rd of January 2024
and the 18th of January 2024, respectively.

Knowledge Management
• CAS Team Annual Conference 2023: Unveiling Water Technology Innovations
and Strengthening International Collaboration
On January 22, 2024, the CAS Team of the
China-Sri Lanka Joint Research and
Demonstration Center for Water Technology
held its annual meeting, focusing on significant
advancements and future plans. The event saw
a collaboration of elite institutions and industry
leaders, highlighting achievements in 2023.
The conference underscored the progress in
water technology, addressing critical issues like
Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology
(CKDu) and safe drinking water (more details).

• University of Peradeniya Visited to JRDC

University of Peradeniya Academic staff
headed by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. M.D.
Lamawansa Visited the JRDC on January
23, 2024. The objective of this meeting
was University of Peradeniya academic
staff to get involved with the research
activities at the JRDC. Deputy Vice
Chancellor, Deans of the Faculties, and
academic staff members of the faculties
graced the occasion (more details).

JRDC for Inspiration Page 35

Page
 VOLUME
VOLUME 13
NO.02
NO. 1
March
Jan 2024
2022

Networking
• Ceremony of the Bestowal of the Letters of Appointment to the Newly
Appointed Staff
On January 11, 2024, the China Sri Lanka Joint Research and Demonstration Centre (JRDC) for Water
Technology hosted a ceremony to officially hand over the appointments of its newly appointed staff.
The ceremony was graced by the Minister of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development
Hon. Jeevan Thondaman, Secretary to the Minister of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure
Development Mr. A C M Nafeel, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya Prof. M.D.
Lamawansa, and other distinguished figures marked a pivotal milestone for the JRDC. It symbolized a
new chapter of innovation and collaboration as the newly appointed staff members were welcomed
into their duties. As the JRDC embarks on its journey with fresh talent and expertise, anticipation for
impactful contributions to various fields runs high. (more details).

• Strengthen the Collaboration between CEA and JRDC

After several productive meetings with the Director of the JRDC, S.K. Weragoda, the Director General
of the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), Mr. Hemantha Jayasinghe, and key figures of both
organizations, are now focusing on establishing partnerships between the CEA and the JRDC. This will
be achieved through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a specific emphasis
on potential collaborations and optimal utilization of the JRDC's Mobile Laboratory facility.

• A Collaborative Visit of CAS Delegates to Sri Lanka

A delegation from the Research Center for Eco-

Environmental Sciences of the Chinese Academy of
Sciences, featuring Dr. Yawei Wang and Dr. Binghui Tian,
visited Sri Lanka from the 23rd of January to the 8th of
February, 2024, and engaged in discussions with
various stakeholders (more details).

JRDC for Inspiration Page

Page45
 VOLUME
VOLUME 13
NO.02
NO. 1
March
Jan 2024
2022

Networking
• Strengthen the Future Collaborations
On January 29, 2024, Mr. Neelakanth Wanninayake, the Executive Director of the Industrial Services
Bureau (ISB) in Kurunegala, along with representatives from the Technical and Environmental
Services Division of ISB, visited the JRDC. The purpose of their visit was to engage in a productive
discussion with the JRDC staff to explore potential future collaborations between the two institutes
for mutual benefit. Given that both institutes specialize in testing and consultancy services, there is a
strong possibility for effective collaborations that would result in a win-win situation for both parties.
The discussions held between ISB and JRDC on February 26, 2024, at the ISB, have laid the
foundation for a promising partnership that could lead to innovative solutions and enhanced services
for their respective clients. Both institutes are excited about the potential opportunities committed
to working together towards achieving common goals after signing a MoU.

• Progress on the University of Peradeniya - JRDC Research Committee

Meeting
The UoP-JRDC research committee was established in February 2020 with the academic staff members
representing all the faculties of the University of Peradeniya to formulate and execute research at the
JRDC. The committee meeting was held on February 02, 2024, at the JRDC meeting room with the
participation of the members of the UoP, JRDC, NIFS, Ministry of Water Supply, and Ministry of Health.

• Participation of JRDC in “Jathika Mehewara” programme

On the 19th of February 2024, Dr. S. K Weragoda, Director,
JRDC and Dr. Madhubhashini Makehelwala, Deputy Director,
JRDC participated in the “Jathika Mehewara” programme in
Newsfrist Sri Lanka (more details).

JRDC for Inspiration Page 5

 VOLUME 3
VOLUME 1
NO.02
NO. 1
March
Jan2024
2022

JRDC Offers
• The Lowest Testing Rates at the JRDC
The JRDC has operationalized its services for 280 plus parameters in water testing. The Secretary to
the MoWS has advised offering the analytical services at the lowest possible rates for the public to
promote decision-making on a scientific basis. Accordingly, the JRDC has published approved rates
(more details).
• Other Offers
Conference facilities and accommodation facilities-Coordinator (Dr. E.G.W. Gunawardana;
chinasrilankargp17@gmail.com) (more details)

JRDC Diary-March & April-2024

March April
M T W T F S S M T W T F S S Date JRDC Diary
1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
March Name plate unveiling ceremony
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
The UoP-JRDC research committee
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 March
meeting
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
25 26 27 28 29 30 31 29 30
March JRDC laboratory meeting
April JRDC trainee evaluation session

Editorial Board April Management Committee meeting

Prof. S.H.P. Parakrama Karunaratne

Prof. Yuansong Wei
Prof. Yawei Wang
Prof. Tilak Hewawasam
Dr. S.K. Weragoda
Dr. Madhubhashini Makehelwala
Dr. Wasana Gunawardana

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0lhYlyT1QbAP8UGR4iSorQ
https://www.facebook.com/JRDC-103634988631893
chinasrilankargp17@gmail.com

JRDC for Inspiration Page 6

Page 2